U.S. confirms Egypt, UAE carried out air strikes on Libyan militias

U.S. confirms Egypt, UAE carried out air strikes on Libyan militias

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has identified the United Arab Emirates as being behind air strikes on Libya. Officials said the administration of President Barack Obama determined that the UAE Air Force operated fighter-jets in attacks on Islamist militias in Tripoli. They said the UAE strikes were facilitated by Libya’s neighbor Egypt. […]

Judge approves Iraq’s request that U.S. seize Kurdish oil

Judge approves Iraq’s request that U.S. seize Kurdish oil

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States, upon request from Iraq, has been directed to seize a shipment of crude oil from Kurdistan. A U.S. judge in Texas ruled that a cargo of 1 million barrels of Kurdish crude could be seized once it enters American waters. Judge Nancy Johnson agreed with Iraq that […]

Americans in Algeria warned of Independence Day attack

Americans in Algeria warned of Independence Day attack

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has warned of an attack on hotels in Algeria. The State Department has urged employees of the U.S. embassy in Algiers to avoid American-owned or -operated hotels over July 4-5. The department said an unidentified insurgency group might be planning a major strike during American Independence Day […]

U.S. funds new Palestinian ‘unity government’ despite new rocket strikes on Israel

U.S. funds new Palestinian ‘unity government’ despite new rocket strikes on Israel

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States intends to fund the new Hamas-Fatah coalition in the Palestinian Authority despite rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip. The administration of President Barack Obama ruled out any reduction or suspension of U.S. assistance to the new PA government amid Hamas rocket strikes on Israel. Officials said the […]

U.S. continues tear gas shipments to Turkey despite crackdown on dissent

U.S. continues tear gas shipments to Turkey despite crackdown on dissent

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States plans to maintain security exports to Turkey amid massive unrest. Officials have acknowledged that the administration of President Barack Obama was approving licenses for security equipment to Turkey. The U.S. security exports, including tear gas, were being delivered to Turkish police who have been clashing with protesters […]

Abbas threatens to bail on the Palestinian Authority

Abbas threatens to bail on the Palestinian Authority

Special to WorldTribune.com RAMALLAH — The Palestinian Authority could decide to disband the regime in the West Bank. Officials said the PA leadership has been under pressure to end governing the Palestinian areas of the West Bank. The officials said elements within the Palestine Liberation Organization argued that such a move would force international intervention […]

Pentagon awards contract for Israel’s F-35A as State Dept. criticizes Ya’alon statement

Pentagon awards contract for Israel’s F-35A as State Dept. criticizes Ya’alon statement

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States, amid unprecedented criticism of Israel’s defense minister, has awarded a contract for the Middle East ally’s planned Joint Strike Fighter fleet. The Defense Department has awarded a $65.2 million contract to Lockheed Martin to develop the F-35A for the Israel Air Force. Under the contract, L-M would […]

Obama ties military sales to human rights as Saudi, Egypt deals proceed

Obama ties military sales to human rights as Saudi, Egypt deals proceed

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has issued guidelines that link military exports to human rights. The administration of President Barack Obama has updated foreign military sales rules for the first time in nearly 20 years. Officials said the new guidelines, formulated after two years of work, would limit arms sales to countries […]

Full court press: Obama urges U.S. Jews, Netanyahu to back off

Full court press: Obama urges U.S. Jews, Netanyahu to back off

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The administration of President Barack Obama has pressed Israel to end opposition to a U.S. reconciliation effort with Iran. Administration sources said Obama has urged both Israel and American Jewish leaders to support his reconciliation drive toward Teheran. On Oct. 29, the White House briefed Jewish and pro-Israeli groups regarding […]

Obama to Congress: Ease up on Iran, support ‘our negotiating strategy’

Obama to Congress: Ease up on Iran, support ‘our negotiating strategy’

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has urged Congress to halt new sanctions on Iran. Officials said the Obama administration has briefed the House and Senate on nuclear negotiations with Teheran. They said the White House wanted to ease pressure on Iran until the talks reach a resolution. “We have conveyed that any […]